Real Madrid: Ranking the 5 best players of the 2021/22 season
By Eesh Jhamb
4. CM Luka Modric
Luka, oh Luka. I am out of words to describe this player. The Croatian is a player with such high quality and nothing to stop him, not even his age. Despite being 36 years old, Luka Modric is one of the world’s best midfielders and can still beat a lot of young midfielders when it comes to athleticism.
He had a slow start to the season, but when Toni Kroos returned to fitness after the surgery, we got to witness the Croatian on top of his form. It is just that Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, and Carlos Casemiro are seen in their best form when they play together. The level of understanding the trio has is just magical.
The reason why I chose Luka Modric is that he is the heart of the team. Real Madrid lacks a certain something when he is not there. A little creativity, a little fluidity, and most of all his way of connecting Dani Carvajal with the rest of the team, the way he helps Carvajal to attack, shoot or put crosses in the box without much fear of a counterattack.
According to WhoScored.com, Luka Modric has scored 3 goals with 12 assists in his name in all competitions for Real Madrid. He averages 1 tackle and 0.9 interceptions a game while completing an average of 90% passes, 3.7 long balls, and 1.25 key passes a game.
His performances may not look good on paper, but he has an intangible effect on the game too. Luka Modric may be getting old, but that does not stop him from playing full 90 minutes every third day. He delivers top results week in and week out without showing any results of fatigue.
What makes Luka Modric one of the most exciting players is his ability on the ball, his pressing, and his exquisite shooting. The way he steps up in big games is what makes him a special player. His outside-the-boot pass to Rodrygo against Chelsea was enough to talk about his quality.
A very successful season for Luka Modric, with 5 UEFA Champions League titles and a contract extension for yet another year. The contract is set to be signed making Luka Modric a Real Madrid player till 2023. He will be hoping to have 2-3 more good seasons, maybe play till 40, and end his successful career at Real Madrid.